Rachel Maddow Show: History of Conflicts in Gaza

If you're like me, Israeli politics are one big mystery, and one squabble there sounds pretty much like any other. Not being Jewish, or even remotely religious, I don't think about Israel much when they're not in the news. And I don't really "get" it when they are in the news. I don't side with either Palestinians or Israelis, because I don't understand how either side's claim to the land is valid, just because of their respective religions. And I don't really understand why either side wants to claim it, given all the strife, and death and destruction occurs there on a regular basis.

That's why I'm glad there are smarter people out there, like MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, to explain it to me. Watching this program makes my brain swell like the Grinch's heart. Unfortunately, even though Ms. Maddow and her guests do a great job explaining the stuff, it doesn't always sink in the first time. So maybe I'll watch this again, along with you. . .

Israel, Hamas, Gaza and the Clueless WASPy Blogger

Photo from source, Huffington Post

It's amazing how fast "blog time" goes compared to real time when you're on vacation. My intention has been to post a couple of things every day, even in these dog days of blogging over the holidays. But Sunday just slipped right by me! Of course, we had friends over, and were entertaining most of the day. Still, I was surprised to find that I had posted almost nothing for Sunday.

The biggest story going right now is the Hamas/Israel Gaza fight, and I'll confess to it being sooo far off my radar, I have nothing particularly wise or sage to add. I don't know why anybody wants to live there, so I'm puzzled why people put themselves in harm's way. There are many things about deeply-held religious feelings and beliefs that I'll never understand. Still, it is important enough that I feel some mention be made of it, so here you go.

[Excerpt]

ISRAEL WIDENS AIR OFFENSIVE, HAMAS FIRES LONGER-RANGE ROCKETS

Israel widened its deadliest-ever air offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers Sunday, pounding smuggling tunnels and government strongholds, sending more tanks and artillery toward the Gaza border and activating thousands of reservists for a possible ground invasion. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post